JOHN KNAPPENBERGER FAMILY
OF ARMSTRONG COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

UPDATED  17 April 2010

GENERAL INFORMATION

John Knappenberger (no middle name) was born 16 May 1809 in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania  and died 12 July 1885 in Armstrong County, PA.   John is the founder of the Armstrong County Pennsylvania Knappenberger Family.  He was the son of J. Philip Knappenberger (1783-1867) who settled in Tuscarawas County, Ohio and the grandson of Conrad Knappenberger (1748-1818) of Westmoreland County, PA.  John was raised by his mother, Martha SWANGER,  and her husband, Peter BRINEY, near Spring Church in Armstrong County, PA.  

It seems unlikely that Martha Swanger and J. Philip Knappenberger (John's father) married.  No record has been found of the marriage or a dissolution of the marriage.  Martha Swanger, born 11 August 1794 and died 17 June 1892, was the daughter of Abraham Swanger (1757-1838) and Elisabeth Wagner (1756-1832) of Westmoreland County, PA   Martha married Peter Briney about 1814 and raised John with his half brothers and sisters: Daniel, Abraham, Mary "Polly", Margaret, Hannah and Susan who married George Rodocker and moved to Nebraska.  Peter Briney was born 10 February 1785 in PA and died 8 February 1861 in Armstrong County, PA.   Martha and Peter are buried in South Bend Cemetery, Armstrong County, PA.   

John Knappenberger married Anna Marie HILL known as "Polly", the daughter of John Hill, Sr. and Catherine Broadsword, on 10 Dec 1829 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, PA.  Polly was born 23 July 1808 in Franklin Township, Westmoreland County, GA and died 5 August 1871 in Armstrong County, PA.  John and Polly had a farm in Clark's Hollow between Mateer and Spring Church in Armstrong County, PA.  It is here they they had seven children.  Polly and John are buried in Spring Church Cemetery, Armstrong County, PA. left">

CHILDREN

JOHN KNAPPENBERGER, JR.  (1831-1837)

John, Jr. was born 12 January 1831 in Armstrong County, PA and died 12 February 1837 at the age of 6.  He is buried to the left of his father at Spring Church Cemetery in Armstrong County, PA.

DANIEL KNAPPENBERGER (1833-1912)

Daniel was born 12 June 1833 in Kiski Township, Armstrong County, PA and died 12 November 1912 in Oak Ridge, Armstrong County, PA.  Daniel at one time was the postmaster at Belknap, Armstrong County, PA.  Daniel married Nancy WALKER, daughter of Robert Walker and Jane Porter, on 19 February 1857 in Armstrong County, PA.  Nancy was born 14 March 1835 in Armstrong County, PA and died 10 July 1889 in Armstrong County, PA.  Daniel and Nancy had eight children.  For more information about Daniel's family - as well as photographs, please click on his name above.

JACOB KNAPPENBERGER (1836-1922)

Jacob was born 17 February 1836 and died 3 May 1922 in Armstrong County, PA.  Jacob was a farmer, carpenter and shoemaker.  He married Sarah Ann MILLER, daughter of John and Lydia Miller, about 1859.  Sarah was born 17 August 1839 and died 7 August 1894 in Armstrong County, PA.  Jacob and Sarah had eleven children.  For more information about Jacob's family - as well as photographs, please click on his name above.

MARY ANN KNAPPENBERGER (1839-1839)

Mary Ann was born 20 July 1839 and died 21 July 1839 in Armstrong County, PA.

SAMUEL AUGUSTUS KNAPPENBERGER (1840-1920)

Samuel Augustus was born 2 September 1840 in Armstrong County, PA and died 19 July 1920 in Indiana County, PA.  Samuel married Mary Matilda MILLER, daughter of John and Lydia Miller, on 10 March 1864.   Her sister, Sarah Ann Miller,  married Jacob Knappenberger, Samuel's brother.   Mary was born 1 November 1844 and died 28 September 1932 in Armstrong County, PA.  This couple is buried at Spring Church Cemetery, Armstrong County, PA.   Samuel and Mary had five children.  For more information about Jacob's family - as well as photographs, please click on his name above.


LUCINDA ANN KNAPPENBERGER (1843-1929)

Lucinda was born 28 June 1843 in Burrell Township, Armstrong County, PA and died December 1929 in Armstrong County, PA.  She married Josiah Wylie Whitmer KLINGENSMITH, son of Adam Klingensmith and Anna M. Kirkland, on 22 February 1866.  Josiah was born 20 June 1841 in Parks Township, Armstrong County, PA and died 7 November 1912 in Armstrong County, PA.  This couple is buried at Forks-Zion Church, Gilpin Township, Armstrong County, PA.  For more information on this couple and their eight children, click on the name above.

HENRY CLAY KNAPPENBERGER (1846-1932)

Henry Clay also known as "H.C." was born 9 September 1846 and died in 1932 in Armstrong County, PA.  He first married Elizabeth "Evaline" BECK about 1867.  Evaline was born about 1849 in Armstrong County, PA and died 1901-1903   Henry and Evaline had twelve children.  H.C. married a second time after the death of his first wife to Lydia A. HANNAH who was born about 1856 and died between 1920 and 1930.  In the 1930 census, Henry C. Knappenberger was 82 years old, widowed, and living with his grandson, John Coulter and his family, in North Apollo, Armstrong County, PA.  H.C.'s obituary reads in part "Mr. Knappenberger, a pioneer contractor and one of the first men to help erect buildings in Vandergrift ...".  H.C. Knappenberger is buried at Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, Armstrong County, PA; however, he does not have a grave marker.

 
Henry Clay Knappenberger and Lydia A [Hannah] Knappenberger
On the reverse is written, "Uncle Hen & Aunt Lydia".
[photo graciously provided by Dorothy Hamilton Knepshield]

1. Mirta Ella Knappenberger known as "Ella" was born 16 July 1869 in Armstrong County, PA.  She never married and lived in North Braddock, Allegheny County, PA.  She died sometime between 1905 and 1932. 

2. Vinnie A. Knappenberger born 8 September 1870 and died between Sept 1896 and 1900.  She married William E. BURNS, son of Thomas C. and Evaline Burns.  William was born 2 March 1876 and died 15 April 1902 in Apollo, Armstrong County, PA.  They had one child.

a. Leon Burns was born September 1896.  He was living with his widowed father, William Burns, in his grandparents household in the 1900 census.  He continued to live with them (Thomas C. and Evaline Burns) in the 1910 census in Washington Township, Westmoreland County, PA at the age of 13.   We know nothing further on him at this time. 

3. Mary "Etta" Knappenberger was born 19 March 1872 and died 10 September 1927 in Allegheny County, PA.  Etta had a son named John COULTER.  Later Etta married John McANALLEY who was born about 1880 in Pennsylvania.  John McAnalley was living as a widower in North Braddock, Allegheny County, PA in the 1930 census along with a nephew, Earl Knapenberger (age 21), and Earl's wife, Margaret (age 21).  Earl Bright Knapenberger was the son of Bert Knappenberger, brother of Etta.  

a. John Coulter was born June 1891 in Pennsylvania and died in 1950.  He married Cynthia HUBERT, daughter of Jacob L. Hubert and Mary Catherine Beighley.  Cynthia was born 17 April 1894 in Westmoreland Co., PA and died February 1981 in Armstrong County, PA.   John and Cynthia had 6 children:  Eugene B. Coulter (3 Aug 1912-1944), Henrietta G. Coulter (18 Aug 1914) who married Clinton Martin (1912) , Woodrow W. Coulter (15 Dec 1916- October1974) who married Gladys Stone (16 Nov 1921-11 Nov 1981), John L. Coulter (26 Feb 1920-5 May 1995), Arthur L. Coulter (15 march 1924-April 1967) and James Hubert Coulter (2 May 1925-12 Feb 2000) who married Betty O. Claypoole (22 Jan 1927-12 May 2003).

4. Lucy Edna Knappenberger was born 7 February 1874 in Armstrong County, PA and died 1944 in Armstrong County, PA.  She married Andrew A. McDERMOTT who was born 1878 and died 1949.  They are buried in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, PA.   They had twins: Estella G. McDermott and Arthur G. McDermott born 22 July 1902.  Arthur died 18 June 1986 in Michigan.

5. John Lester Knappenberger born 19 March 1876 in Armstrong County, PA and died 4 December 1951.  He married Pearl "Clara" HARTMAN on 23 April 1895.  Clara was born July 1878 at Oakland Crossroads, PA and died 3 March 1937 in Vandergrift, Westmoreland County, PA.  They had three children.

a. Paul G. Knappenberger born 21 June 1898 in Armstrong County, PA and died 1 September 1898.  He is buried in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, PA.    Another grave marker that may read "William" is next to this grave marker and may be another child of John.

b. Harold Lester Knappenberger (Sr.) was born 30 May 1900 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 23 January 1992 in Jefferson County, PA.  He married Ruth SMITH, daughter of Rev. Alfred Smith and Lucinda Bartlett, who was born 19 October 1899 in Mercer County, PA and died 21 Dec 1989 in Jefferson County, PA.  Harold was a minister.  This couple had two sons who also became ministers:  Harold Lester Knappenberger, Jr. and Lyston R.Knappenberger.

c. Bernice Rozella Knappenberger was born 29 November 1906 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 12 February 1987 in Westmoreland County, PA.  Bernice never married.   She is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park, Lower Burrell, Westmoreland County, PA.

6. Tizarah E. Knappenberger born 13 November 1878 in Armstrong County, PA and died 17 January 1905 in Allegheny County, PA.  She  married John Amos LEIDY, son of Levi Leidy and Lucinda Cover.   John was born 13 November 1878 in Jackson Township, Cambria County, PA and died 1904 in Braddock, Allegheny County, PA.  They had one son.

a. Leo E. Leidy was born 1 May 1904 in Allegheny County, PA and died October 1973 in Walnut Creek, Contra Costa County, California.  The early death of his parents left Leo as an orphan who was raised by his aunt and uncle on his father's side in Cambria County, PA:  Mary C. (Leidy) Ley and Jacob Ley.   Leo is listed as 6 years of age, nephew, living in their household in the 1910 census and is listed as 15 years of age in the 1920 listed as Leo Ley.    In the 1930 census, he was living in Vandergrift, PA with his uncle, John L. Knappenberger, and working in the steel mill.

7. Harvard Knappenberger known as "Harvey" born 4 September 1880 in Armstrong County, PA.   He most likely died as a young child or man.  Nothing further is known of him at this time. 

8. Frank Knappenberger born 5 March 1883 in Armstrong County, PA.  He died sometime after 1905 when he was listed as a surviving sibling when Tirazah died.  Nothing further is known of him at this time.

9. Earl Lewis Knappenberger born 30 March 1885 in Armstrong County, PA and died 25 September 1971.  He married Stella Grace HOOVER about 1912.  Stella was born 26 July 1884 in Westmoreland County, PA and died 1956.  Stella had been married previously to a Mr. Clark and brought her two daughters to the marriage: Wilda M. Clark (1903-1965) and Ethel A. Clark (1904-1963).   Earl and Stella then had a daughter of their own and adopted a son.

a. Leatha Jane Knappenberger was born to Earl and Stella on 29 April 1915 in Freeport, Armstrong County, PA.  She died 24 March 2002 in Indiana County, PA.  Leatha married William Walter COLE, Sr., son of Albert Eugene Cole and Elizabeth Detar, on 23 November 1921.  William was born 2 June 1909 in Irwin, Westmoreland County, PA and died 26 November 1983 in Apollo, PA.  They had two sons: William Walter Cole, Jr. (5 Sept 1933-29 April 1986) and Eugene Earl Cole.

b. Donald Carl Knappenberger, who was adopted by Earl and Stella, was born in 21 Jan 1929 in Butler County, PA and died 8 Nov 2006 in Erie County, PA.   He married Martha A. McEWEN, daughter of Arch R. McEwen and Della Eliza Conrath.  She was born 27 Dec 1929 in the Pine run area of Allegheny Township and died 3 June 2009 in Erie, PA.   They had four children: Sandra Lee Knappenberger, Dorothy Jean Knappenberger, Donald Eugene Knappenberger and Robert Earl Knappenberger.

10. Albert Knappenberger known as "Bert" was born 1 April 1887 in Armstrong County, PA and died in 1910.  He had a son with the daughter of Charles DETTIS and Sarah Dettis.

a. Earl Bright Knapenberger was born 12 April 1908 and died 21 July 1981 in Forsyth County, North Carolina.  He was raised by his maternal grandparents (Charles and Sarah Bettis) in Trafford, Westmoreland County, PA the first couple years of his life.  But by the 1910 census, Earl was living with his Aunt Mary Etta McAnalley and her husband, John, in North Braddock, Allegheny County, PA as an 11 year old. 

Earl Bright spelled his last name with one "p" - according to his social security application.  His social security application noted his father was Bert Knappenberger but did not list who his mother was.  

Earl first married Margaret M. (maiden name unknown) who was born in 1909 in Pennsylvania and died in 1963.   Earl and Margaret were living in North Braddock, Allegheny County, PA in 1930 with his uncle, John McAnalley who was married to Mary Etta (see above).  Margaret Knapenberger is buried in All Saints Braddock Catholic Cemetery.  Earl and Margaret had one child:   Marietta Knappenberger who married a Mr. Meyers.

Earl later married Thelma WARD of North Carolina who was born 18 September 1911 and died 23 April 1996 in North Carolina.   

11. Bright Knappenberger [twin of Bert] was born 1 April 1887 and died 1908.  The twins, Bert and Bright, along with their sisters, Tizarah and Mary "Etta", are buried together in Monongahela Cemetery located in North Braddock, Allegheny County, PA.

12. Maggie Mae Knappenberger was born 1 August 1890 in Armstrong County, PA and died 14 February 1956.  She married Benjamin William CRAMER, son of George Cramer and Sarah Williams, on 26 May 1909.  Benjamin was born 26 December 1890 in Rathmill,  PA and died 14 June 1949.  Maggie later married Gideon Michael HECKMAN, son of James Blair Heckman and Barbara Ellen SCHALL on 1 September 1951.  Gideon was born 4 February 1873 and died 1 October 1961.  Maggie Mae and Ben Cramer had eleven children.

Maggie Mae Knappenberger Cramer Family
Late 1940s
 
Maggie and Ben Cramer sitting in front 
with all eleven of their children behind them
[photo graciously provided by Gloria Cramer Shand] 

a. George Henry Cramer was born 5 December 1909 in Armstrong County, PA and died there on 12 Oct 2001.  He married Clara Wilhelmina BROOKS on 2 October 1928.  Clara was born 20 October 1909 and died January 1980.   They had five children:  George William Cramer (28 July 1930-26 Dec 1990), Robert Cramer (13 June 1933-30 May 1986), Shirley Marlene Cramer, Carl Wayne Cramer and Charles Cramer.

b. Martha Lou Etta Cramer was born 2 December 1911 and died 23 September 1982.  She married Dean Edward FRANK, Sr. on 2 June 1928.   Dean was born 19 Aug 1911 in Armstrong County, PA and died 17 Dec 1989. They had two children:  Dean Edward Frank Jr. and Larry Clyde Frank.

c. Lydia BenElla Cramer was born 7 December 1913 and died 23 February 1983.  She first married William Carl HEPLER, son of E.F. and Mary Hepler.  William was born 6 September 1904 and died 16 August 1954.    They had 4 children:  Geraldine Mae Hepler, Kenneth Eugene Hepler, Patricia Larue Hepler and Martha Ann Hepler.  She later married William Garret SPROULL who was born 11 Nov 1896 and died 25 March 1989.

d. Frank Sutton Cramer was born 9 December 1915 and died 15 August 1916 in Armstrong County, PA.

e. Hal C. Cramer (Sr.) was born 10 July 1917 and died 8 March 1997 in New York state.   He first married Isabelle HELD on 15 July 1936 and had two children:  Hal C. Cramer, Jr. (23 January 1937 PA - 30 November 2006 MA), and  David Cramer (16 April 1943-31 Dec 1948).   He later married Norma Jeannette REIMER, daughter of Walter J. and Lillian M. Reimer,  on 27 May 1952.  They had two children:  Kim Cramer and Melody Ann Cramer.

f. Charles Albert Cramer was born 26 March 1920 and died 9 April 2005. He married Vivian HEPLER on 22 October 1955.  This marriage ended in divorce.

g. Thomas Dean Cramer (Sr.) was born 19 March 1922 in North Apollo, Armstrong County, PA and died 10 November 2008 in Kittanning, Armstrong County, PA. He is buried in Riverview Cemetery, Apollo, PA.  He married Margaret Elizabeth RIPPLE, daughter of George Waddell Ripple and Ruth N. Baker, on 16 January 1940.  Margaret was born 19 July 1924 and died 23 February 1989.  They had 8 children:  Ruth Mae Cramer (8 June 1940-14 Nov 1987), Donna Lee Cramer, Thomas Dean Cramer, Jr., Eileen Faye Cramer (24 May 1947-28 Dec 2002) , John Cramer, Tina Cramer, Vonne Cramer, and Elaine Gaye Cramer (died 1967).

h. Estella Geraldine Cramer was born 3 April 1924 in Armstrong County, PA and died 10 Dec 2005 in Erie County, Ohio.  She married Francis Leonard STAHL, son of Josiah W. Stahl and Mary Daniels, on 1 June 1945.    They had 3 children:  Joyce Ileen Stahl, Karen Lynne Stahl and Frank Leonard Stahl, Jr.

i. Maggie Mae Cramer was born 1925.  She married Wallace Leech HUNTER, Sr., son of William C. Hunter and Mary Alma Beltz, on 29 August 1946.  Wallace was born 21 February 1921 and died 2 February 1995.  They had 3 children:  Judy Ann Hunter, Wallace Leech Hunter, Jr., and Jo Ellen Hunter.

j. Benjamin Dwight Cramer (aka Buck) was born 1930.  He married Virginia Strickland SUMNER, daughter of Merton R. Sumner and Velma A. Robinson, on 21 August 1951.  They had 3 children: Gloria Dawn Cramer, Benjamin Dwight Cramer, Jr., and Hugh Cramer.  He later married Barbara Slattery in 1982 (1939-2008).

Benjamin Dwight "Buck" Cramer
[photo graciously provided by Gloria Cramer Shand]

k. Keith Edward Cramer was born 1932.  He married June Shirley MARSH on 11 March 1954.   They had 4 children:  Daniel Keith Cramer, Sheryl Ann Cramer, Tracey Dawn Cramer and Wendy Beth Cramer.

If you would like further information related to this family or would care to share information, 
please contact us jsappleton@windstream.net

 

A Family Record 
of Jacob and Sarah Miller Knappenberger
from 1749 to 1944
-compiled and arranged by Howard Vernon Hamilton 
of Vandergrift PA-  was a great source of information.

  SPECIAL THANKS TO

• Marie J. (Knappenberger) Wilson, Worthington PA

• Edith Smith, North Apollo PA

• Valjean Artman Summerhill, Vandergrift PA

• Richard Heckman, Ocala FL

• Gertrude Murphy Keirn, Westmoreland County PA

• James M. Knappenberger, Mountain View CA

• Mindy Knappenberger, Kittanning PA

• Dorothy Hamilton Knepshield, Apollo PA

• Bonnie Stone, Ohio

• John Darwin Knappenberger, Orlando FL

• Alvin Swanger for his help with the Swanger research

• and many more!